I don't want to get all melancholy...

S

SaxonPig

New member
But with father's Day coming up I can't help think about my own dad. He died when I was very young. I don't remember him at all. Mom always said we would have been great friends. He was a shooter and hunter and I have many photos from the family album of him with various firearms. Mom had to sell all of them so we could eat. It was rough. I do wish one could have been saved for me. I'd give anything to have just one of dad's guns.

Here he is in 1949 shooting a 7.5" Colt SAA by the side of the road somewhere in Missouri. Had to be a 1st Generation Model given the date. That would be nice to have now.


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I can feel your pain. This is going to be the second Father's Day without my dad being here. He was a lifelong hunter and enjoyed everything associated with it. As his Parkinson's progressed he could no longer take to the field as he would have liked, nor keep his beloved hunting dog pack but still went on the odd occasion with us, resting frequently and we would carry his backpack and gear for him.

As I live outside the US where gun ownership is seen as a privilege and not a right we were both fortunate to own firearms [shotguns only] and not only did we enjoy the time together but alot of valuable experience was passed, not to mention that near sacred father to son bonding.

There is something superlatively wonderful about the hunting and shooting sports and especially so within the context of that father and son tradition, my grandfather also having been a hunter and shooter [but he passed away while I was yet a child]. I have his hunting paraphernalia, as both a memory and a souvenir. I was thus more fortunate than you in having him around and having something to remind me always of him. Having said that, you will forgive me for saying that to a certain extent at least you were spared the pain of watching a once vigorous, strong proud man deteriorate.

I went back out to the field afterwards with mixed feelings but knowing that he would have wanted it so. I think it's safe to say your father would have been the same!

Happy Fathers' Day to all dads and others who fulfil such a role, at the TFL Forum. And remember to take your son or daughter hunting and shooting. You might be surprised at the rich dividends it can pay to all parties.
 
My dad has been gone a little over 8 years now. He didn't hunt much or shoot much either but he had a couple of long guns that are still over at mom's and a 1955 Ruger Single Six that I took to my house last year. He got it used and I am sure he didn't put very many rounds through it, but I can't imagine ever letting go of it.

I got back into shooting about year after he passed and I sure wish it could have been something that we could have done together.
 
I lost my dad in 2010, actually about 3 months after my wife passed away. After he died, my mother asked me to take what I wanted of his. I picked up his Beretta Minx, the gun I had seen him tuck into his money bag anytime he went out of town for a craft show. Later, as we went through more of his collection, I ended up adopting his I frame Smith and Wesson Regulation Police snubby. I shoot them both from time to time, and keep them as reminders of my dad.

Those were my first two handguns, and got me started on my own collection...
 
Saxon, that's a great picture -- your dad was a shooter and proud of it!

My dad taught me to shoot when I was 9, with a Sears .22 rifle -- much against my mother's wishes. :p

I wish I still had that rifle; but I think of him pretty much every time I pick up one of the current .22s. I remember how special I felt, shooting with him. It was such a great connection.
 
I'll second ,the photo says your Dad was a good man with a gun.

Your economic situation is none of my business,but,the price of an old original Colt SAA could be an obstacle.

Maybe someday.

Meantime,have you thought of going to a Cowboy Action Shoot,or maybe a used Cimarron or Uberti,or Ruger....The Ruger Lipsey Special is a pretty nice single action...44 spl,Bisley,Adj sights

Remembering him at the range might not be so melancholy.
 
Good to be thinking about your Father. We squeezed every penny when I was young and there were no firearms provided to family members by my Father as gifts. We bought our own mowing yards and making whatever money we could. A brick of 22LR was a huge deal for me years ago.... 10 whole boxes.
 
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